It has been a while since I last posted, hasn't it? Besides dealing with my sister college graduation and some volunteer work lately, I've been trying to work on another story idea I've got going, and I guess I back burnered this one to concentrate solely on that in my free time. Yikes!
Well, I've hit a road block with that one of today, so I figured I spend my free time getting a few chapters proofread and posted for the fic. The first couple are a little slower than some past ones, but it picks up pace in a few, don't worry :-)
Anyways, hope you all enjoy the latest installments!
XoXoX
After Tahno told Kya the whole story, she smiled at him.
"I can understand why she's mad at you." Kya had told him before getting to her feet. "But I know you didn't try to provoke the situation with Mako either. I was there not long after you arrived on Air Temple Island, and from what I witnessed firsthand, I know you didn't pressure Mako into a relationship. I know...with what you've been through in the past several months...that you couldn't do that—even if you'd wanted to."
Kya left after saying that, coming back a short time later with his meal. Not long afterward she left again, but not before wishing him luck with his reconciliation with Korra, and their upcoming plane trip. She then went off to catch up with Bolin and Iroh so they could head out.
Tahno spent the rest of the afternoon pacing his room, contemplating his situation, his thoughts, and Mako. He thought back on all he'd learned from Mako's father, Amon, Mrs. Sato and his own father while he was in his comatose state—and about his erotic dream involving Mako before he woke up. He started to blush as he thought it over, rattled when his daydream was abruptly halted as Tenzin came by with his dinner.
"I see you're recovering from the incident yesterday," Tenzin noted as he set the tray of food down on the surface of the chair. "Korra said she'd be stopping by in a short while to talk to you."
Tahno felt that knot from earlier reemerging in his throat. "What'd she say she wanted to talk about?"
"Getting whatever issues are going on between you and her figured out," Tenzin replied. "I'll leave you to eat before she arrives." As he said that, he left in much the same manner as he arrived. The room was quiet upon his departure, and Tahno took the opportunity to lift the lid on the tray and see what was for dinner. It was the island's usual fare, cuisine fit for any proud vegetarian. Not exactly Tahno's favorite, but he ate it without complaints. It was satisfying enough for him, and that was all that mattered just then.
A short time later Korra made her presence known when she entered the room. When she came in, he was just taking a seat on the corner of his modest bed. She said not a word as she took over the chair, moving the tray to the floor first before taking a seat.
"If you're gonna scream or curse at me, let's get it over with," Tahno said to her when the tension in the room felt like it was suffocating him. Korra looked up at him, expression unreadable.
"Actually, I didn't come to fight," Korra replied. "I—came to see if we could attempt to make amends for earlier."
Tahno was taken aback, and clearly expressed it. "What brought you to that decision?"
"I let go of a lot of the steam I held in while me and Beifong were getting in some flying lessons this afternoon. We talked while she demonstrated what to do with me. Actually—it was more like I talked, and she listened," Korra stated. "I—also took your advice...and sought out Mako's father."
"Did you find him?" Tahno asked her.
Korra nodded. "It took some time to find him, considering I didn't know who I was looking for by appearance, but eventually he approached me, and we had a nice little chat."
"Did he back up what I told you?" Tahno asked her.
"Yeah, he did," Korra admitted. "I'm...not happy that you and Mako have developed feelings for each other, but I...I don't think you seduced him into liking you anymore. Mako's dad informed me about the details from his own perspective."
"Thank the spirits for that," Tahno stated with some irony.
"Did Tenzin fill you in on the information your deceased boyfriend Ming told me about?" Korra ask him after a long pause set in between them.
"He didn't have to, Amon caught me up while I was comatose," Tahno replied. "Also...um—while I was out cold... Asami's mother visited me, and I also learned that Hiroshi's pet spirit was responsible for something else that happened with...well—me."
"Asami's mom, huh?" Korra smiled faintly. "What was she like, what'd she say?"
"She wants me to assure Asami that she doesn't stand by her so-called father's claims," Tahno said. "Along with some other more minor stuff. As for what she's like...I'm glad Asami got all her looks from her mother."
"Pretty?" Korra asked him. He nodded.
"Very," Tahno stated.
"Yeah...I can agree that Asami is very pretty," Korra stated awkwardly. She rouged very faintly. "Sometimes I wish I could be more like her, you know?"
"You should tell that to her sometime," Tahno told her. "I was talking to her about you once, and Asami told me she really admired you."
"For what?" Korra asked him.
"Helping her keep her father's business afloat when Hiroshi's rep almost sunk it. Also went into a spiel on all your traits she particularly admired—you know, that sort of thing," Tahno said. "If you want specifics, you'll have to ask her about it. I can't remember everything she said."
"Yeah...I guess I'll do that sometime," Korra replied. "Hey—didn't you mention something about Hiroshi's spirit being responsible for something that's happened to you?"
"Apparently I've been a pawn in Hiroshi's little game from practically the beginning—or at least for his pet spirit anyways," Tahno remarked, embittered. "The spirit had that old crime boss, Yakone, possess the guy who assaulted me some months back, you know...the incident I blabbed about to...um—Mako's brother, Bolin in the—Southern Water Tribe."
Korra's eyes widened in shock. "Geez—I guess when Mako said you had as much of a reason to fight Hiroshi as the rest of us, he wasn't kidding."
"I'd say—even though I didn't know about it until I was forced to relive the whole ordeal in a bad dream," Tahno responded, cringing at that thought.
"Hey pretty boy, while you were out earlier...your deceased boyfriend asked me to do him a favor," Korra said after a while. The ex-bender looked up at her.
"Favor?" Tahno replied. "Like what?"
"H-he wanted to know if I would, um—"
"I'm sorry to hear that Hiroshi's spirit helper was responsible for that man," Ming appeared out of thin air, cutting Korra off in midsentence. "I didn't know."
"I'll make that bastard and his pet spirit pay for it, you can bet on that," Tahno claimed. "Hey, Korra—weren't you saying something before Ming popped in? Some favor Ming asked you?"
"Oh, hey—did you come to a decision on that?" Ming brightened up, looking at Korra. She raised an eyebrow at him, staring back uncomfortably.
"I might've—but if you make a big deal out of it, I might change my mind," Korra remarked.
"What the hell are you two talking about?" Tahno looked from one to the other a few times.
"I asked her if she'd give me a chance to kiss you one last time," Ming told him before Korra could speak. The Avatar frowned, her face red with frustration.
Tahno blanched. "You—what?"
"He wanted to know if I'd allow him to voluntarily possess me so he could get in one last make out session with you before he has to say goodbye," Korra stated, perturbed. She looked at Ming with annoyance. "I owe Tahno for that stunt I pulled on him in the South Pole, so I guess I'll agree to do it."
"Huh?" Ming looked from her to the ex-bender perplexingly.
"She possessed me so she could get in a make out session with Mako," Tahno told him uncomfortably.
"If we're going to do this, let's get it over with before I change my mind," Korra muttered irritably. "One thing though—promise you won't go any farther that that. I'd feel a little squeamish if you...did that."
"I promise to not go further then that," Ming promised without an iota of humor.
"How am I going to get something out of it when its being done like that?" Tahno questioned him.
"Just close your eyes and imagine its me," Ming told him. "I just need this once, and I'll take whatever I can get to have it."
"Okay, whatever," Tahno became fidgety. "If we're really going to go through with this, let's get it over with already."
Ming smiled faintly. To Korra, "You ready?"
"Probably as much as I'm ever gonna be," Korra said. "Like Tahno said—let's just get this over with."
Slowly the three of them, all flustered, tried to prepare for the ordeal. Ming eventually shifted with the Avatar's form until he was controlling her senses willingly. In a flash her eyes took on that characteristic glossed over look, with flashes of grey hinted in her ocean shallows hued irises. Slow and unsteadily she took one step after another towards the bed where Tahno was sitting—or Ming did, in a body he wasn't accustomed to, or physical presence he'd almost forgotten the feeling of after being separate from it for so long. Tahno watched the approach blankly until she was standing right in front of him.
Rigidly Korra—Ming—bent in low, taking the ex-bender's face in both hands. To ease the awkwardness, Tahno did as the ex-earthbender suggested, closing his eyes in order to imagine the maneuver was being enacted by Ming, and not the Avatar whom he was possessing. He felt unexpected tears trickle down his face as he sensed the heat of a face leaning in nearer, overwhelmed by emotion for the finality in the imminent gesture.
Even knowing whom it was that was physically connecting with him; Tahno felt familiarity in it as warm lips linked up with his. He ignored the thoughts telling him it was the Avatar, telling himself instinctively that it really was Ming—that the former earthbender really was physically there and was the one kissing him.
It helped that the gesture was indeed as familiar as the former waterbender warmly remembered it; lips offering gentle pressure as they started out their exploration before growing slightly more aggressive in their venture for passion, seeking to explore every possible realm they were capable of. The other's tongue softly caressing the borders of his mouth before pressing forward with given permission, tickling his tastebuds with a brush against its own as it curiously explored further. Gliding over pearly whites before pulling back and giving its likeness an invitation towards its realm. The ex-bender forgot completely that he was invading the Avatar's oral space as he took the invitation, darting his tongue forward to replicate the maneuver previously done by his partner's.
It wasn't until long after they separated and he finally opened his eyes again did Tahno see Korra standing there instead of Ming. Ming was by her side, a separate entity once again. Tahno didn't know how it was possible, but he could swear he saw the former earthbender's eyes glistening with tears.
"Thanks Korra for giving me that chance," Ming told the Avatar gratefully.
Korra smiled crookedly at him. "Glad you got something out of it, although—I've gotta say...pretty boy—I-I mean Tahno—" She looked his way sheepishly. "You're—actually...not a bad...um—kisser."
"Yeah...okay—thanks," Tahno muttered, embarrassed.
"Well...um—I've got to get in a few more hours with Beifong on flying a biplane so I don't crash-land us when we reach the North Pole," Korra's eyes darted awkwardly around. "I'll...see you later." She practically bolted for the door in a flustered rush. As soon as she was out the door Ming broke out in laughter. Tahno looked at him absurdly, calming the ex-earthbender down rather quickly.
"Would you really have gone through with those private lessons you offered her at Narook's that one time if she'd taken you up on them?" Ming asked him out of the blue.
Tahno gave him the strangest stare he'd ever directed his way. "Ming?"
Ming looked at him expectantly. "Yeah?"
Tahno disappointed him. "Shut up."
XoXoX
During the first few days of travel Kanani buried her suspicion over her and her husband's hasty departure, trying to rationalize it with the excuse he gave her; that it was due to his brother being terminally ill that they left in such a hurry. But as days passed, as they grew closer to their destination—or their supposed destination—the more her suspicion rose from its inner depths and clouded her mind.
What brought up her suspicions even more was the way Unrak acted towards her. He seemed almost to ignore her existence except when he had to. It was also their unexpected detour that threw up red flags in her mind—when they got off the last travelling vessel to make the rest of the trip by a single person operated raft instead.
Her suspicions felt validated as they moved farther and farther from any hints of civilization, as Unrak parked their raft along an isolated icy shore and instructed her harshly to follow him ashore. She did so without incident, for loyalty to her beloved, or because she felt she had no other real option.
They walked along through the icy tundra for some time before he finally told her to stop. When they halted, Kanani came face to face with an icy underground tunnel.
"Your brother lives in an ice cave?" Kanani couldn't help but ask. She hadn't been to Unrak's brother's place yet—only heard him speak fondly of it—but she was certain he would've made his home somewhere more...civilized, and warmer for that matter.
Unrak didn't respond, just glaring at her fiercely before pointing out that she was to enter the premises. It was once again she noticed the same opaque haze clouding his eyes that she had witnessed several times over the past several days.
Kanani looked at him quizzically, shrugging her shoulders in question. Unrak kept up the same rigid gesture, never faltering from it. After time passed and she noticed her husband wasn't either going to answer her or change his position on his demands, she gave in and entered the ice cave like he was quietly instructing her to.
She took one last glance at the ice-capped landscape around her, sighing heavily before turning to head inwards.
XoXoX
At least a day and a half passed since Hiroshi abducted them from Republic City, and in that time, Asami had watched Mako grow slowly weaker in appearance. He hardly was awake enough to communicate with her or Shaozu, and she was growing more and more concerned for him as time passed.
Since their capture, her so-called father had made certain to provide his captives with nourishment and breaks. Of course, they were always heavily guarded every time they were allowed to leave their captivity inside his machine—people from whatever town he was paying a visit to were always possessed by some sort of spell put upon them by Hiroshi's spirit aide, or what Asami liked to call it—the spirit in the machine.
She didn't know how she was going to accomplish it, but Asami knew she needed to make a run for it. She needed to get in contact with somebody—anybody—who could get word back to Tenzin and whoever was still in the city that there was something wrong with Mako.
Asami hoped that some of her companions, maybe even Korra herself, were out there pursuing Hiroshi's trail. With that in mind she also hoped—in the process of trying to recapture her—that they would catch up to him and maybe—just maybe—be able to take her father and his mecha out before he could accomplish whatever goal he had for her and the other two in the North Pole.
XoXoX
Kya was checking into the most recent Hiroshi sighting she was aware of. Leaving the two young men at the outskirts of town with Oogi, Kya went in to town to gather some information.
Most of the reports Kya had received thus far in their travels were anything but enlightening. From reports of Hiroshi practicing his procedure on a few benders he came across along the way—there was at least one confirmed case to attest to the claims' validity—in order to instill fear in any benders he came across, to scant details she managed to uncover about his three young captives, Kya wasn't feeling nearly as optimistic as she normally would.
Kya learned that one person in town in particular had some details on Hiroshi's captives. Her main purpose in town was to discover their whereabouts and ask that person what they knew. She discovered that her person of interest was a middle-aged woman, a nonbender who lived on the edge of town named Miki. The woman, whose husband had passed a few years back, lived alone in her humble abode.
Kya knocked on the door, greeted kindly by Miki to come in. Kya was shown to a chair in the main room by an adequate fireplace, given some tea by Miki before the woman sat down to hear the elder waterbender out.
"Yes, a man fitting that description paid a visit to my home," Miki said, making a face while she spoke. "He came to use my home as a rest stop for his three young prisoners, and stole some food and supplies before he left with the three youths. The whole time he had me under some kind of enchantment—like something outside myself was controlling my every action and everything I said. It was unnerving; I was thankful when that man left."
"What did Hiroshi take?" Kya asked, taking a sip of her tea.
"Some food, clothes that once belonged to my late husband, and a garment for the young lady in their company," Miki replied. She sighed somberly. "I felt bad for his three young captives. One of the boys looked a little ill, and more than just a little dazed."
"Which boy was it?" Kya asked. "The one you said was sick, I mean?"
"The young man with the dark, short hair and goldish-brown eyes," Miki responded. "When that man arrived with the three, the poor young lad was dressed in, well—a dress. Thankfully he left better dressed than when he arrived."
"How sick did he look, and could you tell me with what?" Kya asked her.
"The young man looked like his life energy was being drained right out of him," Miki replied with sadness. "I don't know what that man subjected those three to, but I'd say that young man must've been run through the ringer to look so...dejected and lifeless."
"What can you tell me about the other two?" Kya asked her.
"The young woman looked to be the liveliest in the bunch. Her green eyes shone with daggers every time I was able to notice her looking in the man's direction. The other young man looked a little weary, but still alert," Miki told her.
Kya asked her a few more questions before excusing herself and thanking the woman for the information and her hospitality. Miki in turn told how she felt obliged to help her out; that she didn't like that man—as she'd addressed Hiroshi as during their entire meeting—and was happy to provide her the information she needed about him.
XoXoX
Asami tried once more to grab Mako's attention, but wherever he consciously was, it wasn't of his surroundings. She looked towards Shaozu, who seemed aware of things more so than Mako.
"Shaozu?" She tried calling out to him without alerting her father. She tried again when the first didn't garner a response. "Shaozu?" He reacted finally, looking like she'd awoken him from deep slumber. He jerked his head to and fro a bit before turning his attention directly towards her.
"Huh?" Shaozu responded groggily. "Yeah?"
"I need your help with something," Asami told him, inching ever so slightly his way. Hiroshi remained focused on the controls while she continued to do so.
"With what?" Shaozu's eyes kept going from her to Hiroshi, hoping his voice was low enough for the former businessman to not hear him.
"I'm hoping you can help me loosen my bindings," Asami told him. "During one of our next rest breaks, I want to try and escape."
"Are you nuts?" Shaozu exclaimed. She looked at him particularly. "Okay, okay—I'll see what I can do to help out. You're gonna need to bring your restraints up behind my back; my hands are stuck in place back there."
"I can do that," Asami replied. She scooted over until she was in just the right position.
"So—what made you decide to do this?" Shaozu asked, whispering in her ear.
"Mako," Asami looked in his direction. "Something's wrong with him, and I've gotta at least try and do something to distract my father until we can get him help."
Shaozu looked in Mako's direction. "Yeah—he does look like he's sick or something."
"I'm worried that my father did something that's making him sick," Asami said, hints of distress in her whispered voice. "Can you make any progress with my restraints?"
"Yeah, I've got a good grip on them," Shaozu whispered back. "Can you help me with mine at all? If I'm loosened up some, I can maybe distract the bastard long enough for you to escape."
"Sure."
XoXoX
Mei Lin had been by her father's bedside in the hospital the past few days, watching over him as he remained in a stable coma. In all the chaos, Hiroshi's cohorts had knocked her father about rather roughly before locking him up. She had been thrown in with him some time later, when it was realized they had some use for her. What use that was, she didn't know.
She had been out for a while herself, pretty much since the day she and Shaozu were separated from one another. The one who abducted her had knocked her out cold and kept her drugged until the United Forces officials, who had shown up on the scene at some point, liberated her cell in the jail ward from Hiroshi's occupation. When she finally was revived, she was in a hospital bed and clueless on what happened. Somebody had to explain to her what occurred and how she got there, and then she'd asked about her father.
In the frenzied search for her father's whereabouts, she hadn't had much time to ponder Shaozu's. As she watched over her father's still figure, she worried about where he was, what had happened to him. She could only hope he was somewhere safe, and had only been unable to find her in the rush. While she was watching over her father, an officer from Chief Beifong's forces came by to check in on her and her father. She smiled warmly as he entered the little room, getting to her feet to shake his hand. He introduced himself as Ishio.
"How have you been doing since your release?" Ishio asked as she showed him to a chair, taking a seat at the end of her father's bed herself.
"I've been well, and my father's recovering nicely," Mei Lin responded. "Is this a...routine check-in?"
"Actually, there is more to the nature of my visit then just that," Ishio responded, voice sounding apologetic. "I learned through some sources that you are acquainted with a young man named Shaozu? That you are, perchance, his girlfriend?"
"Yes," Mei Lin responded, becoming more emotional as she went on to ask, "Is Shaozu okay? Did something happen to him? I've been worried about him since we were separated some time back, but have been so busy watching over my father that I haven't been able to search for him. I hope nothing bad has happened to him."
"I'm afraid the news I bring you isn't the most optimistic," Ishio replied, "Shaozu was taken prisoner the night before Hiroshi's demonstration, and—from some sources I have questioned—I was told he was one of three captives that Hiroshi took with him before he departed from the city. He currently is in Hiroshi's custody, and we have yet to track down and capture Sato."
Mei Lin gasped. "Do you know if Shaozu is okay at all? Has that madman hurt him at all?"
"Reports that have come in seem to suggest Hiroshi's keeping him intact, and I promise we'll get him back to you okay and in one piece," Ishio assured her.
"How can you be certain you'll be able to do that?" Mei Lin questioned him.
"Let's just say I have a feeling he'll come out of this in good shape," Ishio replied.
"I hope you speak the truth," Mei Lin said, getting to her feet. "Thank you for informing me of Shaozu's situation. I'm thankful I won't have to worry that he's hurt lying in an alley somewhere."
"I wish the news could be better," Ishio told her. She smiled faintly.
"Please keep me updated on anything you learn?" Mei Lin asked. Ishio shook her hand.
"I will."
XoXoX
By the time Kya returned to where Bolin and Iroh were with Oogi, it was reaching midday. Bolin was doing random earthbending exercises while Iroh watched as she approached. Bolin let his most recent earthen tower crumble to the ground upon noticing Kya.
"Did you learn anything?" Bolin asked as Kya drew near. She nodded, smiling sadly.
"Hiroshi did indeed make a stop here," Kya told him. "A woman in town said her home was raided by Hiroshi for supplies and used as a rest stop for your brother, Asami, and Tahno's friend."
"Anything on where they might be heading next?" Iroh spoke up as he joined them.
"One witness indicated that he saw Hiroshi head north," Kya replied.
"What'd you find out about my bro and the other two?" Bolin asked. "Are they holding up okay?"
"Asami and Tahno's friend appear to be fine in the mean time," Kya told him, eyes losing all hopeful shine as she added, "Mako, however...the witness described him as being listless—like something Hiroshi did to him was draining the life out of him."
"How long ago was it that Hiroshi stopped in this town?" Iroh asked calmly as Bolin stalked off seething in anger.
"Last night," Kya replied. "If we hurry, we might make some ground on him. From what I've learned he's made a habit of putting on a few demonstrations with benders he catches along the way. I can only hope it slows him down enough for us to catch up to him."
"It's unfortunate it comes to something like that to give us something to use to our advantage," Iroh noted grimly. Kya nodded solemnly.
"I can only hope we can find a way to reverse the procedure," Kya told him. "We should cover as much ground as we can before nightfall. The moon has been near full the last couple nights, but even that won't provide the most efficient light to travel by after sundown." Iroh nodded, following her over to where Bolin had wandered off. The three then climbed back up on Oogi's back and continued on their way.
XoXoX
Nightfall was fast approaching. At least, that's what Asami was able to tell when Hiroshi opened the hatch to his mecha to make one of his routine stops. Another small town, she wagered, and another supply run and rest stop. She was itching to move her legs and stand, as her legs had been in the same position for several hours now.
She also anticipated a rest stop because she was itching to make a bolt for it. Over the past several hours, she and Shaozu had worked on loosening up each other's bindings, getting them loosened enough to just where they wanted them. They hid the fact by feigning still being tightly restrained, holding the ropes and chains tightly together with one of their supposedly confined hands behind their backs.
As with each time before, Hiroshi left them alone for a time in the confines of his machine with the hatch closed, fetching a few people in town to use as his guardians over his three captives while they were out and about. A short time later Hiroshi came back, shouting harsh orders to his newest, possessed recruits to get the trio out of the mecha and to watch over them closely in the process.
The only thing Asami allowed herself to acknowledge through her rough handling was the faces of Hiroshi's newest possessed. Two men, two women—all who looked like normal young adults by everyday, ordinary standards—besides the fact that they had a lackluster film over their probably usually clear and vivid eyes. Even with how rough they handled her as they dragged her from the mecha, she knew they were just as much victims in this as she was. She felt bad that Hiroshi made them into his pawns to do his dirty work.
Grasslands stretched around them for miles on three sides. The forth side was occupied by dense forest. Asami's eyes were drawn in that direction, knowing that's where she'd have to head once she made her escape. She wondered if she'd get the chance to do that, however—
All of a sudden, the earth beneath them rose up unexpectedly. It carried Hiroshi and his helpers up with it while leaving the other three on ground level. Asami was frozen in place while she heard the cries of alarm coming from the still rising mound.
"Asami, run for it!" Shaozu's voice broke her from her trance. Without a second thought, she let her bindings fall to the ground and bolted with all her strength towards the tree line. She turned back suddenly, thinking about the two she was leaving behind.
"Why are you still standing there?" Asami shouted back at Shaozu, who hadn't made an effort to follow her.
"Go! "Shaozu yelled back. "I'm staying with Mako, so get outta here before he can catch you!"
Asami didn't think twice about it. She ran for the trees, and disappeared into the forest.
XoXoX
He didn't know how, but Mako knew the right places to touch, and just how to touch them. His every touch—grip of his lips, caress of his hands, teasing pinch or squeeze his fingers activated—each maneuver was done expertly, and left the most sensual sensations, impassioned heat imprints. Heat imprints as fingers danced across flesh, barren of and underneath fabric, as those fingers grasped at flesh, teased it, caused gasps and groans spurring on further sensual satisfactions. It all seemed a fantasy as kisses and grasps eventually led to flesh pressing against flesh.
As soon as those enclosing fabrics were discarded and those magic fingers danced gracefully only across skin did the fantasy transform into nightmare. Those magic fingers suddenly turned every piece of flesh they brushed against to ice, created rises of gooseflesh wherever there was contact made.
Mako's luxuriant touch became cold and unwanted. Chilling and eerie, and insinuated with death—
Tahno awoke with a start, breathing hard. His mind couldn't seem to break from the subtleties of the vision he'd awoke from, the chilling fingers running across his skin still leaving icy imprints up and down his spine. He sat up, shaking all over, as if infected with a ghastly chill. It took him a while to chase it away, to stop shuddering.
He had no grasp on time, although it still seemed early. Sometime in the morning he was departing with Korra, and he needed as much rest as he could get. But each time he closed his eyes, that dream chose to haunt him.
It would have pleasant—if not for the chill he got from it. What was it about the dream that left an imprint on him even after he awoke? What did the dream even mean—if anything at all? Tahno didn't want to think about it, and pushed it from his thoughts as he fought to regain some semblance of slumber before morn.